High above my head rotating in the stiff sea breezes I spied this handsome copper weathervane!
It sits on the third floor off a building at the corner of Pacific Stret and Howe Street in Vancouver and is a sculpture by the Abbotsford born artist Rodney Graham. See here.
I thought the figure was taken from one of the the pilgrims from Chaucer's 'Cantebury Tales' and wondered if he was not a long way off his route!
The plaque on the front of the building explains that the work was a commission for the owners of the 30 floor condo tower.
According to Malcolm Parry of The Vancouver Sun of March 06, 2008 (here):
"The work depicts 15th-16th-century humanist and theologian Erasmus" (apparently, with the sculptor's face).
The owners of the building thought it would be good to have a piece of equestrian sculpture to enhance their building (presumably economically as well as aethetically).
Indeed, Parry goes on to point out:
"the Reformation scholar himself was no slouch in turning talk into economic gain. A horse was involved, too.
It began when Erasmus questioned the Christian belief in transubstantiation while debating British Lord Chancellor and fellow humanist Thomas More. "Only believe that you receive the body of Christ," More countered, "and you really have it."
More then loaned the Switzerland-bound Erasmus a horse to ride to the port of Dover, but was riled when told the nag had sailed to France, too.
"Only believe your horse is in the stable," Erasmus replied to More's reproachful letter, "and you will find him there." "
"The work depicts 15th-16th-century humanist and theologian Erasmus" (apparently, with the sculptor's face).
The owners of the building thought it would be good to have a piece of equestrian sculpture to enhance their building (presumably economically as well as aethetically).
Indeed, Parry goes on to point out:
"the Reformation scholar himself was no slouch in turning talk into economic gain. A horse was involved, too.
It began when Erasmus questioned the Christian belief in transubstantiation while debating British Lord Chancellor and fellow humanist Thomas More. "Only believe that you receive the body of Christ," More countered, "and you really have it."
More then loaned the Switzerland-bound Erasmus a horse to ride to the port of Dover, but was riled when told the nag had sailed to France, too.
"Only believe your horse is in the stable," Erasmus replied to More's reproachful letter, "and you will find him there." "
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